Bearcat94

Been thinking about getting one. For occasional, light/medium use - lug nuts, suspension bolts, etc. I'd be looking for something reasonably priced - not a pro-use tool.

I suppose air is prefered, but between the tank and tools, it's not likely for me for home use.

Anybody gone cordless? What'd you get? How's it working out? Recommendations?

Here are a couple I've found that might be along the lines I'm looking for:

http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...Only)%20DC823B

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=00917338000P

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=00989613000P

charliemike

The only thing I hear about DeWalt is that their batteries aren't very good. They tend to lose to ability to recharge fairly quickly (or what I would consider to be quick < 1 year of regular use).

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

if you are going to use it at home, why not get an electric one? for the occassional use to take off wheels and stubborn bolts, you can't go wrong for under $50...

i got one from harbor freight...

but if you really want to go cordless, go with the Dewalt... when i had to get a tow one day, the guy had the Dewalt with him, and it was amazing and have 2 batteries at a minimum...

Street Spirit

We have one. Makes changing and rotating wheels so much faster and easier. We don't have anything fancy but certainly has enough torque and power to do what we need it to do, and that was our goal when setting a budget for it.

teranfon

If you don't have a supply of air, then a corded impact driver would be more suited for the chores you have listed. The smaller, cordless impacts don't do well on anything other than small items.

If you're going to do any sort of work such as wheels or suspension parts on a regular basis, it would be best to set yourself up with a decent compressor and air impact. You'll be much happier in the future.






Terry

Bearcat94

That's what I'm talking about.

What'd you get? How long have you had it?





I've got 3 cars that need periodic maint and occasional repair; maybe a DIY mod project now-and-then. It's not a lot really, but enough to try to make the work a little easier.


I'll check the corded models.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

My fiance bought me the impact/driver set from Makita...Lithium Ion...I think about $220 or so. Needless to say I was VERY happy.

My opinion...if you're trying to get off a set of really stubborn bolts...there's nothing like your arms and a breaker bar. For normal maintenance: lug removal, suspension bolts etc...the makita has held up fine. And I am constantly tinkering and I've gone a MONTH between charging the batteries. Pretty crazy!!

I actually invested in a set of 1/4 hex shank converters to 3/8" and 1/2" sockets and impact rated set of common screw tips etc...and sockets and let me tell you, I am forever grateful. I actually did an entire suspension change including lugs and all bolts using nothing but the Makita impact. The good thing with it also is it is controllable and light enough duty that you can RETORQUE bolts that are delicate and you can just hit them until the hammer hits...normally, the guns are too strong and you have to be VERY careful not to strip and break bolts/nuts.
The gun is SUPER lightweight, has LED's to light up and a glow in the dark ring to find it and a hook to put it on your belt. It is absolutely amazing.

I also have a monster 650 ft/lb gun, but I use that one to use the spring compressor and for bigger jobs (along with my 30 gallon 150CFM Husky compressor)...but for what you're describing, the Makita will fit the bill.

Also, just as a side note because I had asked about torquing lugs with these guns and safety a few months ago. Well, I ended up getting a torque wrench and have confirmed with it that the makita torques down the lugs to a higher ft/lb torque than the 80ft pound that we are supposed to torque to anyway.

Gfaze

I'd say go with the corded impact. They work well for the weekend mechanic.

Street Spirit

Yes, we use the impact gun and a torque wrench for the wheels as well. Would never just machine-tighten them.

Shoofin

Car and Driver did a review on a bunch of them recently...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tested-gearbox

Bearcat94

Thanks.

neuronbob

It's funny this thread came up. I'm looking for a cordless to take on the road with me in case of emergency. The lugs on my V are torqued at 140 lb-ft (yes, that is the spec!) and I am not confident of my ability to take care of that on my upcoming road trip.

Can't take a corded driver on the road, obviously. More suggestions are welcome.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

^^^for your purposes, I wonder if they sell a power inverter that works with the cigarette lighter that can power one of those strong corded impact drivers?!

anyway, I heard that cars with real torque should only be torqued to 80 ft/lb ...true story.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

My friend got snap on for like $500 an he loves it.

Gfaze

http://www.amazon.com/Bare-Tool-DEWA...091440&sr=8-12

The battery is sold separately though.

Bearcat94

You can get it Lowes for a few bucks cheaper - $119. The battery price is good @ $92 for a two-pack (that is also $119 at Lowes).

I like the DeWalt, but it's a bit more than I wanted to spend. We'll see.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I had a contractor buddy of mine actually say that dewalt's reputation is better than the actual product. I'm sure it's a good product but for the price, you have a LOT of options.

PS...check out the new SEARS catalogue...there are a BUNCH of impact drivers on sale.

Example (and might fit the bill for you). Craftsman 19.2V Impact Driver with max impact of 200 ft/lb, carry case and 2 batteries. PS, the image on the magazine is they are holding the tool up against a tractor tire.

Price $159.00

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

they offer lithium and regular rechargable batteries...

i have both, but my standard rechargable battery drill is over 5 years old, and holds a charge...

i think its the opposite, if you DONT use it regularly and let it sit dead for several months.. or just leave it on the charger 24/7.. then the battery tanks..

i use both DeWalt and Makita tools.. both are great.

Bearcat94

I believe that DeWalt (like so many others) lives on the reputation they established many years ago, when they made primarily "pro" quality tools. In the consumer market they (the generic "they") have the reputation, but not the "old" level of quality (Craftsman, Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc).

I saw the Craftsman 19.2v and that's the one that started me thinking about getting one. The C&D review makes it out to be a bit weak though.

Some have suggested a corded tool, which is fine and would save battery costs. DeWalt doesn't make any corded (that I could find). There are some out there, but haven't researched them very well yet.

I guess mostly it's a case of "sticker shock", but you get what you pay for.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-elec...nch-68099.html

/endthread... seriously how often will you use it? and just buy the extended warranty...

Street Spirit

I wouldn't bother with a super-duper heavy-duty one. It's like buying a $500 tool set and only needing a few screwdrivers and a hammer. Get something that'll be realiable and POWERFUL enough to handle the jobs you will be using it for, but there's no need to go over the top. Ours gets used for two cars' wheels, the odd job around the house, and the rest of the time, it just sits there. If we were using it daily or always had a job on-the-go, we would've looking into something more....but....we don't. As a rule, most tools that plug in are more powerful than a lot of battery-operated ones....but read the specs before you buy. And if you buy one and it sucks, just take it back and try another...but I wouldn't start out with the super-deluxe model.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I think you'd be surprised what other uses you have for it...assuming you're always tinkering etc. I thought I was fine and can get by without...but once I had mine...man, I was using it for all sorts of fun projects from suspension bolts to bolts holding up old speakers etc. Paired with a nice set of impact accessories...the possibilities are endless.

I used to take the approach of getting something "good enough"...and I DO believe there is such a thing as getting something that's TOO MUCH for TOO MUCH MONEY. But, I usually look for a good deal on an "in between" so I don't feel the need to upgrade later or have the cheap one break and then that's $50 I could/should have put toward quality later on.

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

you find yourself using tools you buy for more jobs then you originally anticipated.

when i got my first impact, my "tinkering" time doubled b/c of how easy it was to do certain task.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Rigid guarantees their batteries for life. Pretty sure it covers impact driver batteries too.
My Dad replaced a battery. Went to their repair center, tossed them the old battery, they handed him a new one.

Street Spirit

Of course. We got a cheaper one the first time around, tried it out and returned it for something slightly better and a bit more expensive. That's the one we kept. I wouldn't suggest going the bottom-of-the-barrel, and yes, we use ours around the house too, but still not daily or even weekly.